Material handling system with queue chute

ABSTRACT

A material handling system for the disposal of materials in multi-floor buildings. The material handling system has one or more main chutes each having one or more sets of loading stations, queue chutes, and gates. The queue chutes store material to be disposed, which is held back from entering into the main chute by the gate. The material is loaded into the queue chute via an opening in the loading station. The opening of the gates is controlled using a material handling system controller, which is controlled via a control panel or automatically using a timer or based upon the output of one or more level sensors that can determine the fullness of the queue chutes. The main chutes can have primary gates to allow for safe maintenance of the system. The loading stations can have secondary access to the main chutes.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/058,964, entitled QUEUE CHUTE, filed on Oct. 2, 2014. The entirecontent of the application is hereby incorporated by reference for anypurpose.

TECHNOLOGY FIELD

The present application relates generally to a queuing system formaterial handling systems using gravity-assisted or vacuum-assistedqueue chutes.

BACKGROUND

Many high-rise or multi-story buildings utilize gravity-assisted orvacuum-assisted chute systems for the rapid disposal of trash, laundry,or other materials. Typically the user inserts a bag of materials, orthe materials themselves, into the system on an upper floor, which thentravels downwards until reaching an ejection point, usually located in abasement or lower level of the building. Generally a system with thecapacity to handle both trash and laundry will separate the twomaterials into separate systems to avoid contamination.

One conventional material handling system automates the transport ofsoiled hospital linens to reduce infection. Access to the system isgranted via an access door mounted on a box, which is in turn mounted onand connected to a chute pulling a constant vacuum. Once a user loadsmaterials and closes the outer door, a gate at the back of the box opensand the soiled laundry is immediately exposed to the suction forcecreated by the vacuum system and swiftly disposed of. However, thisconventional system has a variety of drawbacks.

First, because the user of the system can potentially be directlyexposed to the suction force of the vacuum, any loose or unsecured itemson the user's person or in the vicinity of the door are subject to beingdisposed of along with the laundry. Second, direct access to the vacuumtube results in unwanted removal of heated or cooled air from thebuilding, adding to utility costs. Third, conventional vacuum systemsare typically noisy and violent. Most importantly, conventional systemsdo not allow multiple users access to the system simultaneously. Onlyone user at a time is allowed access due to a lack of enough power toevacuate multiple stations (which would result in laundry or trashsitting in the loading station and never entering the main chute). Toprevent unwanted access, lockout mechanisms such as physical locks orkeycard systems are installed on the loading stations.

SUMMARY

Embodiments can provide a material handling system that can comprise atleast one material handling chute assembly, where each material handlingchute assembly can comprise a main chute extending from an upper storyto a lower story in a multi-floor building; one or more loading stationscan each have an access opening and a bottom opening; one or more queuechutes can each comprise a substantially vertical section and atransition section, the vertical section can be connected at a first endto the bottom opening of one of the loading stations and the transitionsection can be connected at a second end to the main chute; and one ormore gates can be positioned proximate the second end of the queue chuteto selectively open and close an aperture between the queue chute andthe main chute.

Embodiments can provide a material handling system where the main chutecan further comprise a main chute output and a primary gate positionedbetween the main chute and the main chute output to selectively open andclose an aperture between the main chute and the main chute output.

Embodiments can provide a material handling system where the transitionsection can be a curve, or the transition section can be joined to thevertical section at an angle.

Embodiments can provide a material handling system where each loadingstation further comprises a loading station access door for selectivelyproviding access to the loading station.

Embodiments can provide a material handling system where one or morelevel sensors can be configured to determine the fullness of each queuechute. The level sensors can additionally determine a fullness time foreach queue chute.

Embodiments can provide a material handling system where each loadingstation can be mounted to the main chute by one or more side struts.

Embodiments can provide a material handling system where a materialhandling system controller can be configured to actuate the one or moregates. Additionally, one or more level sensors can determine thefullness of each queue chute and the selective opening and closing ofthe one or more gates can be automatically determined by an output ofthe level sensors. The level sensors can also determine a fullness timefor each queue chute.

Embodiments can provide a material handling system with one or moreadditional material handling chute assemblies.

Embodiments can provide a material handling system with two or morematerial handling chute assemblies, where each material handling chuteassembly can comprise a main chute extending from an upper story to alower story in a multi-floor building; one or more loading stations caneach have an access opening and a bottom opening; one or more queuechutes can each comprise a substantially vertical section and atransition section, the vertical section can be connected at a first endto the bottom opening of one of the loading stations and the transitionsection can be connected at a second end to the main chute; and one ormore gates can be positioned proximate the second end of the queue chuteto selectively open and close an aperture between the queue chute andthe main chute.

Embodiments can provide a material handling system with two or morematerial handling chute assemblies where each main chute can furthercomprise a main chute output and a primary gate positioned between themain chute and the main chute output to selectively open and close anaperture between the main chute and the main chute output. Each mainchute can terminate at an independently selected location.

Embodiments can provide a material handling system with two or morematerial handling chute assemblies where the transition section can be acurve or where the transition section can be joined to the verticalsection at an angle.

Embodiments can provide a material handling system with two or morematerial handling chute assemblies where each loading station canfurther comprise a loading station access door for selectively providingaccess to the loading station.

Embodiments can provide a material handling system with two or morematerial handling chute assemblies where one or more level sensors canbe configured to determine the fullness of each queue chute. The one ormore level sensors can also determine a fullness time for each queuechute.

Embodiments can provide a material handling system with two or morematerial handling chute assemblies where each loading station can bemounted to the main chute by one or more side struts.

Embodiments can provide a material handling system with two or morematerial handling chute assemblies where a material handling systemcontroller can be configured to actuate the one or more gates.Additionally, one or more level sensors can determine the fullness ofeach queue chute; and the selective opening and closing of the one ormore gates can be automatically determined by an output of the levelsensors. The one or more level sensors can also determine a fullnesstime for each queue chute.

Embodiments can provide a method of creating a material handling systemin an existing material handling system having a main chute and one ormore loading stations connected to the main chute, which can comprisecutting an opening into the bottom of each of the loading stations; foreach loading station, cutting a main chute access opening into the mainchute, below the loading station; and mounting a queue chute having avertical section and a transition section between each loading stationopening and main chute access opening.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be madeapparent from the following detailed description of illustrativeembodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are bestunderstood from the following detailed description when read inconnection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodimentsthat are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that theinvention is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed.Included in the drawings are the following Figures:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a material handling system with queue chuteaccording to an embodiment disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a material handling system with queuechute according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a material handling system with queue chuteaccording to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary gate;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a multi-floor material handling system withqueue chutes according to an embodiment disclosed herein;

FIG. 6 is perspective view of a multi-floor material handling systemhaving multiple main chutes each with queue chutes according to theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a multi-floor material handling systemhaving multiple main chutes each with queue chutes according to theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a material handling systemcontroller according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The material handling system according to embodiments of the presentinvention solves one or more of the problems associated withconventional material handling systems by providing a queue chute inaddition to the primary or main chute. A queue chute can be in additionto, and separate from, the main chute, and can provide an area wheredisposal materials (such as, but not limited to, laundry and/or trash)can accumulate and wait prior to entry into the main chute. A materialhandling system that utilizes a queue chute can result in more efficientmaterial handling and reduced costs of operation.

A queue cute can be integrated at the location of each loading station,which can be, but is not limited to, a box. In one embodiment, the queuechute can connect to an opening in the bottom of the loading station andcan extend vertically downward from the loading station. The queue chutecan connect to the main chute at a predetermined distance below theloading station. The length and diameter of the queue chute candetermine the amount of material that can be contained within the queuechute prior to the queue chute being opened to the main chute forevacuation. In an embodiment, the queue chute can be sized to receiveand hold the contents of an entire trash or laundry bin, roll aroundtub, or similar sized container.

In contrast to a conventional material handling system having a directhorizontal connection between the loading station and the main chute,the present material handling system includes one or more queue chutes,wherein each queue chute can include a loading station mounted to a mainchute by side struts, with an opening in the bottom of the loadingstation that can connect the queue chute to the loading station. When auser accesses the loading station via an access mechanism (e.g., door),the material to be disposed can be dropped straight down (e.g.,vertically) into the queue chute. The queue chute can terminate at agate that can grant or deny access to the main chute. The gate canconnect to the main chute at a location below the loading station. Thegate can be opened independently of the loading station access door orin conjunction with its opening.

As the queue chute and the main chute can each have a substantialdiameter, the queue chute can, after extending vertically down, segmentinto transition section to intersect with the main chute. In anembodiment, the transition section may be an angled section. In anotherembodiment, the transition section may be a gentle curve instead of anangle to prevent the back-up of material transitioning from the verticalsection of the queue chute to the main chute via the transition section.

The gate connecting the queue chute with the main chute can be activatedpneumatically, magnetically, mechanically, or by other known actuatingmeans. The gate can be directed to partially open in order to controlthe flow of material entering the main chute. The gate aperture can beany shape. In an embodiment, the gate can slide open in a verticaldirection. In an alternate embodiment, the gate can slide open in ahorizontal direction. In an embodiment, the gate can be a hinged designand may pivot about the hinge to open. In an embodiment, the gate can becomprised of one or more doors, which can open independently or intandem.

In an embodiment, the user can fill the queue chute by loading materialinto the loading station, which can then drop into the queue chutethrough the opening in the loading station. While loading, the materialcan be prevented from entering the main chute by the gate located at theconnection point between the queue chute and the main chute. When theuser has finished filling the queue chute through the loading station,the user can close the loading station and actuate the opening of thegate through an external control panel. In an alternate embodiment, theopening of the gate can be automated through the use of a timer or bythe inclusion of one or more sensors that can detect queue chutefullness by weight or proximity. In an embodiment, the gate can open,allowing the material to enter the main chute. In an alternateembodiment using a vacuum system, the opening of the gate can alsotrigger the activation of the vacuum system to aid drawing the materialinto the main chute. Alternately, the vacuum system can constantlyremain on.

In an embodiment, the queue chute can be the only way to access the mainchute. In an alternate embodiment, secondary access can additionally beprovided horizontally through the back of the loading station, as inconventional systems. The dual-access system can provide back-up accessor a bypass for maintenance, repairs, removing clogs, or other necessaryactions.

In an embodiment, each floor of a multi-floor building can have its ownloading station and queue chute connecting to the main chute through agate. As users on each floor deposit material in their respectiveloading stations and queue chutes, a material handling system controllercan determine the proper gate opening sequence to maximize theefficiency of the material handling system and to prevent clogs orcongestion in the main chute. Additionally, the main chute can have aprimary gate located near the base of the material handling system forthe safe service and maintenance of the main chute. The primary gate,when closed, can prevent the draw of the vacuum while the chutes arebeing accessed.

In an embodiment, a material handling system can have multiple mainchutes for the disposal of more than one type of material. For example,a material handling system can have a trash chute and a laundry chute.Both the trash chute and the laundry chute can have their own queuechutes and loading stations located on each floor of a multi-floorbuilding. In an alternate embodiment, a material handling system for afacility having more than one multi-floor building can have multiplemain chutes in each building, each with their own queue chutes andloading stations located on each floor. The main chutes can converge invarious combinations in the basement or lower floors of the facility.Each set of main chutes can include primary gates to allow safe serviceand maintenance of the system.

In an embodiment, one or more sensors can be used to sense how muchmaterial is currently held in each queue chute. A “full” reading canindicate when the queue chute is unable to accept more material and mustbe evacuated. Sensors may utilize sonic, optical, weight, or mechanicalmechanisms to determine the amount of material currently held in eachqueue chute. Additional sensors can be used to determine if a gateand/or loading station access door is currently open. A controller canmonitor and control the overall operation of the material handlingsystem, designating which gates open, to what degree, and at what time.For instance, in a material handling system designed for trash andrecyclables, the control system can be used to increase efficiency inseparating trash from recyclables by utilizing a transactional approachwherein the user designates the type of material loaded at the time ofloading, which allows the control system to determine when the load ofmaterials should be released based on whether trash or recyclables arecurrently being collected at the material handling system output.

Creation of the present material handling system can be accomplished byaugmenting an existing system having a main chute with queue chutes andloading stations. The present material handling system can fit withinthe footprint of conventional systems, and does not require additionalspace or substantial renovation. Modification of an existing system canadd a queue chute and vertical access to a pre-existing loading stationthat originally opened horizontally into the main chute. The added queuechute can then be connected to the existing main chute in the samemanner as described above.

Advantages of the present material handling system arise from theisolation of the main chute, which can be constantly drawing a vacuum,from the queue chute and loading station, and by proxy the user loadingmaterial into the loading station. The present system can prevent energywaste by strategically opening and closing the gates when the loadingstations are closed, thus prohibiting excess air-conditioned or heatedair from escaping the building via the main chute. Additionally,automation of a multi-floor material handling system can enable users toprioritize the order of materials to be disposed. For example, somematerials may need to be disposed of as quickly as possible, whileothers can be allowed to remain in the queue chutes for longer while thepriority materials are first disposed of. Allowing multiple users ondifferent floors access to the system simultaneously saves time andlabor by allowing an individual user to deposit a load of material intoa loading station and return to work, without having to wait for accessif another user uses the system at the same time.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a material handling system 100 with queue chute101 according to an embodiment. A queue cute 101 can be integrated atthe location of each loading station 102, which can be, but is notlimited to, a box. The queue chute 101 can have a vertical section 109that can connect to an opening (not shown) in the bottom of the loadingstation 102 and can extend vertically downward from the loading station102. The queue chute 102 can connect to a main chute 103 at apredetermined distance below the loading station 102. The length anddiameter of the queue chute 101 can determine the amount of materialthat can be contained within the queue chute 101 prior to the queuechute 101 being opened to the main chute 103 for evacuation. In anembodiment, the queue chute 101 can be large enough to receive and holdthe contents of an entire trash or laundry bin, roll around tub, orsimilar sized container (not shown). In an embodiment, the queue chute101 can have a lesser diameter than the main chute 103. In anembodiment, the queue chute 101 can have a greater diameter than themain chute 103. In an embodiment, the queue chute 101 can have adiameter equal to the main chute 103. In an embodiment, the queue chute101 can have a volume of 11,550 to 37,700 cubic inches able to be loadedwith material. While the embodiment shown in the figures shows the mainchute 103 and the queue chute 101 as having a cylindrical geometry,alternate embodiments allow for rectangular, triangular, polygonal, or acombination of geometries for the main chute 103, the queue chute 101,or both.

The queue chute 101 can, after extending substantially vertically downin the vertical section 109, segment into a transition section 104 tointersect with the main chute 103. Substantially vertical can allow forthe vertical section to be angled within five degrees of being perfectlyvertical to accommodate alternate floor layouts. In an embodiment, thetransition section 104 be joined to the vertical section 109 at an anglefrom about 65 degrees to about 90 degrees, inclusive, with respect tothe vertical. In an embodiment, the transition section 104 can be joinedto the vertical section 109 at an angle from about 65 degrees to about85 degrees, inclusive, with respect to the vertical. In an embodiment,the transition section 104 can be joined to the vertical section 109 atan angle from about 65 degrees to about 80 degrees, inclusive, withrespect to the vertical. In an embodiment, the transition section 104can be joined to the vertical section 109 at an angle from about 65degrees to about 75 degrees, inclusive, with respect to the vertical. Inan embodiment, the transition section 104 and the vertical section 109may be a gentle curve instead of an angle to prevent back-up of materialtransitioning from the vertical section 109 of the queue tube 101 to themain chute 103 via the transition section 104. The queue chute can havea maintenance door 108 located above the transition section 104 that canprovide access to the queue chute 101 in the event of a clog, or formaintenance of the material handling system components.

When a user accesses the queue chute 101, the material to be disposedcan be dropped straight down (e.g., vertically) into the queue chute 101through the opening in the loading station 102. The queue chute 101 canterminate at a gate 106 that can grant or deny access to the main chute103. In an embodiment, the gate 106 can be positioned proximate to theend of the queue chute 101 as close as possible to the main chute 103,allowing for the maximum amount of material storage space inside thequeue chute 101. In an embodiment, the gate 106 can be positioned at thejuncture of the vertical section 109 and the transition section 104. Thegate 106 can connect the queue chute 101 to the main chute 103 at alocation below the loading station 102. The gate 106 can be openedindependently of the loading station access door 107 or in conjunctionwith its opening. In an embodiment, the user can fill the queue chute101 by loading material into the loading station 102, which can thendrop into the queue chute 101. While loading, the material can beprevented from entering the main chute 103 by the gate 106 located atthe connection point between the queue chute 101 and the main chute 103.When the user has finished filling the queue chute 101 through theloading station 102, the user can close the loading station 102 andactuate the opening of the gate 106 through an external control panel(see for example FIG. 8). In an alternate embodiment, the opening of thegate 106 can be automated through a timer (see for example FIG. 8), bythe inclusion of one or more level sensors 805 that can detect theamount of material loaded in the queue chute 101 based on weight orproximity, or by a remote material handling system controller (see forexample FIG. 8). In an embodiment, the gate 106 can open, allowing thematerial to enter the main chute 103. A gate sensor 801 can detectwhether the gate aperture is opened or closed. In an alternateembodiment using a vacuum system, the opening of the gate 106 can alsotrigger the activation of the vacuum system to aid drawing the materialinto the main chute 103. Alternately, the vacuum system can constantlyremain on, with the queue chute 101 and loading station 102 remainingisolated from the draw of the vacuum by the gate 106 when closed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a material handling system 100 withqueue chute 101. In contrast to a conventional material handling systemwith a direct horizontal connection between the loading station 102 andthe main chute 103, the present system can have a queue chute 101 thatcan include a loading station 102 mounted to the main chute 103 by sidestruts 201, with an opening 200 in the bottom of the loading station 102that can connect to the queue chute 101. Material can be loaded into theloading station 102 by inserting it through the access opening 202 ofthe loading station, and from there into the queue chute 101 through thebottom opening 200 connecting the queue chute 101 with the loadingstation 102. Access to the loading station can be prevented by a loadingstation access door 107.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a material handling system 100 with queuechute 101. In an embodiment, the queue chute 101 can be the only way toaccess the main chute 103. In an alternate embodiment, a secondaryaccess 300 can additionally be provided horizontally through the back ofthe loading station 102, similar to the access found in conventionalsystems. The secondary access 300 can be a sliding or hinged door thatcan be closed when not in use to prevent access into the main chute 103through the loading station 102. The dual-access system can provideback-up access or a bypass for maintenance, repairs, removing clogs, orother necessary actions.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary gate 106. The gate 106connecting the queue chute 102 with the main chute 103 can be activatedpneumatically, magnetically, mechanically, or by other known actuatingmeans 400. The gate 106 can be directed to partially open in order tocontrol the flow of material entering the main chute. The gate aperture401 can be any shape. In an embodiment, the gate 106 can slide open in avertical direction. In an alternate embodiment, the gate 106 can slideopen in a horizontal direction. In an embodiment, the gate 106 can becomprised of one or more doors, which can open independently or intandem. In an embodiment, the gate 106 can be a hinged design and maypivot about the hinge to open. The gate 106 can be controlled by anexternal control panel, by one or more sensors that determine queuechute 101 fullness, or by a remote material handling system controller.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an exemplary multi-floor material handlingsystem with queue chutes 101. In an embodiment, each story 503 of amulti-floor building can have its own loading station 102 and queuechute 101 connecting to the main chute 103 through a gate 106. The mainchute 103 can extend between upper stories 503 and can terminate in amain chute output 502, which can be located in the lowest story orbasement 501 of the multi-floor building. As users on each story depositmaterial in their respective loading stations 102 and queue chutes 101,a material handling system controller (see for example, FIG. 8) candetermine the proper gate 106 opening sequence to maximize theefficiency of the material handling system 100 and to prevent clogs orcongestion in the main chute 103. Additionally, the main chute 103 canhave a primary gate 500 located near the output 502 of the materialhandling system 100 for the safe service and maintenance of the mainchute 103, or, in systems with multiple main chutes, for directing wherea vacuum force is applied. In an embodiment, the primary gate 500 can begenerally left open to allow the passage of materials through the mainchute 103 into the main chute output 502. In an embodiment the primarygate 500 can be generally left closed to prevent unwanted vacuum and airflow, but can be opened prior to releasing material from the queue chute106 into the main chute 103 through the gate 106. The primary gate 500can have the same structural components as described in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is perspective view of a multi-floor material handling system 100having a first main chute 103 and a second main chute 603, each withtheir own queue chutes 101, 601. In an embodiment, a material handlingsystem can have multiple main chutes 103, 603 for the disposal of thesame or more than one type of material. For example, a material handlingsystem can have a first main chute 103 for disposing trash and a secondmain chute 603 for disposing laundry. Both the first main chute 103 andthe second main chute 603 can have their own sets of queue chutes 101,601, loading stations 102, 602, and gates 106, 606 located on each floorof a multi-floor building. The loading stations 102, 602 can each have aloading station access door 107, allowing access to the loading stationsand, in some embodiments, preventing access to the loading stations 102,602 if their corresponding gates 106, 606 are open. The first main chute103 and the second main chute 603 can each have a main chute output 502,607, which can be located, for example, in the lowest floor or basementof the multi-floor building; although basement locations are common, themain chute output may be located on any floor below the floor(s) beingserviced by the material handling system. In embodiments having multiplematerial handling chute assemblies, each main chute may terminate at anindependently selected location. For example, in a two chute assemblysystem, a trash chute assembly and a laundry chute assembly need notterminate a the same level (although they could); a trash chute assemblymay terminate at street level, while a laundry chute assembly couldterminate at the basement laundry. Additionally, the first main chute103 and the second main chute 603 can each have a primary gate 500, 605.The primary gates 500, 605 can serve as barriers against a vacuum system803 which can allow for the safe service and maintenance of the mainchutes 103, 603. Additionally, the primary gates 500, 605 can direct theflow of the vacuum into one or all of the main chutes 103, 603, allowingfor increased energy efficiency of the system by closing off areas notneeding a vacuum and thus allowing the vacuum system 803 to operate at alower capacity than would be required if both main chutes 103, 603 wereleft open at all times.

In an alternate embodiment, a material handling system for a facilityhaving more than one multi-floor building can have one or multiple mainchutes in each building, each with their own queue chutes and loadingstations located on each floor. The main chutes can converge in variouscombinations in, for example, the basement or lower floors of thefacility. A lateral can be provided where two branches of main chutesmerge into one. This system works well when there is a commonbasement/lower floor for multiple buildings, for example for unifiedtreatment of trash. Each set of main chutes can include primary gates toallow safe service and maintenance of the system, and to direct the flowof a vacuum force during selective evacuation of particular main chutes.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a multi-floor material handling systemhaving multiple main chutes 103, 603 each with their own queue chutes101, 601. Each combination of main chute and associated queue chute(s)forms a material handling chute assembly. FIG. 7 depicts a system havingtwo material handling chute assemblies, although a particular systemcould have any number of material handling chute assemblies. For safetyand aesthetics, the bulk of the material handling system can be hiddenfrom view by a wall 700 or other covering. The wall 700 can have one ormore holes or openings allowing access to the loading stations 102, 602or the loading station access doors 107. Access to the material handlingsystem can be controlled by control panels 802 located adjacent to theloading station access doors 107. The loading stations 102, 602 can belocated at a predetermined distance above the floor 701, while the queuechutes 101, 601 can extend and connect with the main chutes 103, 603 ata level below the floor 701. In an embodiment, each queue chute 101, 601is of sufficient length and diameter to admit the contents of an entirewaste or laundry bin 702.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a material handling systemcontroller 800 according to an embodiment disclosed herein. In anembodiment, one or more level sensors 805 can be used to sense how muchmaterial is currently held in each queue chute 101. A “full” reading canindicate when the queue chute 101 is unable to accept more material andshould be evacuated. Likewise, gate sensors 801 can determine if thereis a blockage or obstruction near the primary gate or the queue chutegates. Additional gate sensors 801 can be used to determine if a gateand/or loading station access door 107 is currently open. In anotherembodiment the level sensors 805 can include a level timer 806 thattracks how long material (e.g., trash) has been in each queue chute 101and can activate evacuation of the particular queue chute 101 after thematerial has been in the queue chute 101 for a certain period of time(e.g. a fullness time). Sensors 801, 805 may utilize sonic, optical,weight, or mechanical mechanisms to determine the amount of materialcurrently held in each queue chute 101. The material handling controller800 can monitor and control the overall operation of the materialhandling system, designating which gates open to what degree and at whattime. Additionally, the material handling controller 800 can activate ordeactivate the vacuum system 803 of each main chute, if present. Thecontroller 800 can act in a preprogrammed fashion, or can act at thedirection of one or more control panels 802 which can be located inproximity to a loading station or at a central control facility.Alternatively, the queue chute gates and primary gates can openautomatically at the control of gate timers 804 that can have presetintervals programmed for activation of the gates. The controller 800 canopen as few or as many gates, including primary gates, as desired orrequired by the system.

In an embodiment, the material handling system controller 800 cantrigger the queue chute gates in a cascade to minimize clogs in thesystem. In an instance where the various sensors report that queuechutes 1 through n are full (with queue chute 1 being located at thetop-most floor and queue chute n being located at the floor above thelowest floor), the controller 800 can first open queue chute gate n andallow the bottom queue chute to empty into the main chute. Once empty,the controller 800 can close queue chute gate n, open queue chute gaten−1, allow queue chute n−1 to empty, close queue chute n−1, and repeatthe process for each queue chute gate until queue chute gate 1 has beenopened and queue chute 1 evacuated. Alternatively, the controller 800can invert the opening process and begin by opening queue chute gate 1,proceeding down the chain of gates until queue chute n is evacuated.

In an alternate embodiment involving a material handling system having asingle main chute designated for trash and recyclables, the controller800 can be used to increase efficiency in separating trash fromrecyclables by utilizing a transactional approach, wherein the userdesignates on a control panel 802 the type of material loaded into theparticular queue chute 101 at the time of loading, which allows thecontroller 800 to determine when the load of materials should bereleased based on whether trash or recyclables are currently beingcollected at the material handling system output.

A conventional material handling system, having loading stations feedinginto a main chute, can be converted (retrofit) into the present materialhandling system without significant restructuring of an existing floorplan. A bottom opening can be cut into the bottom of each loadingstation, onto which can be fitted a queue chute. Main chute accessopenings can be cut into the main chute, and the queue chutes can befitted onto the main chute access openings through the use of the gates.

Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that numerous changes and modifications may be made to anembodiments of the invention and that such changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the true spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A material handling system, comprising: at leastone material handling chute assembly, each material handling chuteassembly comprising: a main chute extending from an upper story to alower story in a multi-floor building; one or more loading stations eachhaving an access opening and a bottom opening; one or more queue chuteseach comprising a substantially vertical section and a transitionsection, the vertical section connected at a first end to the bottomopening of one of the loading stations and the transition sectionconnected at a second end to the main chute; and one or more gatespositioned proximate the second end of the queue chute to selectivelyopen and close an aperture between the queue chute and the main chute.2. The material handling system as recited in claim 1, wherein: the mainchute further comprises a main chute output and a primary gatepositioned between the main chute and the main chute output toselectively open and close an aperture between the main chute and themain chute output.
 3. The material handling system as recited in claim1, wherein: the transition section comprises a curve.
 4. The materialhandling system as recited in claim 1, wherein: the transition sectionis joined to the vertical section at an angle.
 5. The material handlingsystem as recited in claim 1, wherein: each loading station furthercomprises a loading station access door for selectively providing accessto the loading station.
 6. The material handling system as recited inclaim 1, further comprising: one or more level sensors configured todetermine the fullness of each queue chute.
 7. The material handlingsystem as recited in claim 6, wherein: the one or more level sensors arefurther configured to determine a fullness time for each queue chute. 8.The material handling system as recited in claim 1, wherein: eachloading station is mounted to the main chute by one or more side struts.9. The material handling system as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising: a material handling system controller configured to actuatethe one or more gates.
 10. The material handling system as recited inclaim 9, further comprising: one or more level sensors configured todetermine the fullness of each queue chute; the selective opening andclosing of the one or more gates being automatically determined by anoutput of the level sensors.
 11. The material handling system as recitedin claim 10, wherein the one or more level sensors are furtherconfigured to determine a fullness time for each queue chute.
 12. Thematerial handling system as recited in claim 1, further comprising: oneor more additional material handling chute assemblies.
 13. A materialhandling system, comprising: two or more material handling chuteassemblies, each material handling chute assembly comprising: a mainchute extending from an upper story to a lower story in a multi-floorbuilding; one or more loading stations each having an access opening anda bottom opening; one or more queue chutes each comprising asubstantially vertical section and a transition section, the verticalsection connected at a first end to the bottom opening of one of theloading stations and the transition section connected at a second end tothe main chute; and one or more gates positioned proximate the secondend of the queue chute to selectively open and close an aperture betweenthe queue chute and the main chute.
 14. The material handling system asrecited in claim 13, wherein: each main chute each further comprises amain chute output and a primary gate positioned between the main chuteand the main chute output to selectively open and close an aperturebetween the main chute and the main chute output.
 15. The materialhandling system as recited in claim 13, wherein: each main chute of thetwo or more material handling chute assemblies terminates at anindependently selected location.
 16. The material handling system asrecited in claim 13, wherein: the transition section comprises a curve.17. The material handling system as recited in claim 13, wherein: thetransition section is joined to the vertical section at an angle. 18.The material handling system as recited in claim 13, wherein: eachloading station further comprises a loading station access door forselectively providing access to the loading station.
 19. The materialhandling system as recited in claim 13, further comprising: one or morelevel sensors configured to determine the fullness of each queue chute.20. The material handling system as recited in claim 19, wherein: theone or more level sensors are further configured to determine a fullnesstime for each queue chute.
 21. The material handling system as recitedin claim 13, wherein: each loading station is mounted to the main chuteby one or more side struts.
 22. The material handling system as recitedin claim 13, further comprising: a material handling system controllerconfigured to actuate the one or more gates.
 23. The material handlingsystem as recited in claim 22, further comprising: one or more levelsensors configured to determine the fullness of each queue chute; theselective opening and closing of the one or more gates beingautomatically determined by an output of the level sensors.
 24. Thematerial handling system as recited in claim 23, wherein: the one ormore level sensors are further configured to determine a fullness timefor each queue chute.
 25. A method of creating a material handlingsystem in an existing material handling system having a main chute andone or more loading stations connected to the main chute, comprising:cutting an opening into the bottom of each of the loading stations; foreach loading station, cutting a main chute access opening into the mainchute, below the loading station, and; mounting a queue chute having avertical section and a transition section between each loading stationopening and main chute access opening.